224 



'leaf' insect from CEYLON. 



Fig. 22. Phyllocrania sp. (Ceylon.) 



yellowish brown colour, and has a decided resemblance to 

 a brown and withered leaf; but as it grows older its colour 

 gradually changes from brown to a bright green, and the 

 perfect insect, the matura, acquires a wonderful resemblance 

 to some of the vivid and shining green leaves of tropical 

 forests (Fig. 23). 



Amongst the many curious and interesting insects 

 which are found in Ceylon, Empiisa gongylodcs, is one of 

 the most singular. It is a brown insect. The thorax is 

 like a long thin twig, with a wide leaflike expansion 

 immediately behind the head. The wings are broad, 

 veined and crumpled, like dried leaves ; and the long legs, 

 which are spread out in any direction as the animal is at 

 rest, harmonise so closely with the twigs to which they 

 cling, that it is difficult to see where one begins and the 

 other ends. Fig. 24 illustrates this insect in the attitude in 

 which it was resting before being captured. 



